Letter C: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
C is the third letter of the English alphabet. It comes after B and before D. C is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is C and the small (lowercase) letter is c.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter C at a Glance
| Position | 3rd of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | C c |
| Comes between | B and D |
| Main sounds | hard c, soft c, ch |
| Strokes to write it | Capital C: 1 · small c: 1 |
How to Write Capital C and Small c
Follow the numbers: start each stroke at its numbered dot and move in the direction of the arrow. The blue top line, dashed middle line and red bottom line match the lines on handwriting paper.
Capital C (1 stroke)
- Start near the top on the right.
- Curve up and back to the left, then down and around the bottom.
- Stop on the right side, leaving the C open.
Small c (1 stroke)
- Start just below the middle line on the right.
- Make the same open curve, but smaller, stopping at the bottom line on the right.
Small c is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
Common mix-up: Capital C and small c look the same except for size, so check where the letter starts: small c starts at the middle line.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter C Tracing Sheet
Print this one-page sheet for practice at home or in class. Each row starts with a solid model letter, followed by dotted letters to trace, then empty lines to write C and c alone.
What Sound Does C Make?
- hard c: the same sound as k. Examples: cat, cup, car, cake.
- soft c: the same sound as s, usually when c comes before e, i or y. Examples: city, cent, circle, bicycle.
- ch: when c and h team up. Examples: chair, cheese, chin.
Words That Start With C
C is for Cat! Here are more C words:
C also appears in the middle or at the end of words: bicycle, duck, music, ice, octopus.
Interesting Facts About C
- C is a consonant that can make two different sounds, a hard k sound and a soft s sound.
- The Romans created the letter G by adding a small line to the letter C.
- C is one of the easiest letters to write because it is just one curve, and it is the start of writing a, d, g, o and q.
Quick Quiz: Letter C
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Does the c in city make a k sound or an s sound?
An s sound. C usually says s before e, i or y.
Which letter comes right after C?
D.
Which word starts with a hard c: cat, city or circle?
Cat. City and circle start with a soft c.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Send children on a room scavenger hunt for C objects — a cup, a crayon, a chair. Gather the finds on a table and have the class name each one together, emphasizing the "kuh" sound at the start.
At Home
Decorate a pretend paper cupcake or cake together while saying "C is for cake!" Afterward, trace the letter C on paper, drawing the same curved shape used to frost the cake.
Tips
Parents: Since C makes two different sounds, don't worry if your child is confused at first — focus on the hard "kuh" sound until it's solid, then introduce the soft sound with words like city.
Teachers: Letter C is a great confidence-builder since both the capital and lowercase forms are just a single curve — perfect for early tracing practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is C in the alphabet?
C is the third letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after B and before D.
Is C a vowel or a consonant?
C is a consonant. All letters except the vowels A, E, I, O and U are consonants (Y can be both).
What sound does the letter C make?
C makes these sounds: hard c as in cat; soft c as in city; ch as in chair.
How do you write a small c?
Start just below the middle line on the right. Make the same open curve, but smaller, stopping at the bottom line on the right. Small c is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
What are some words that start with C?
Words that start with C include cat, car, cake, cow, cup, carrot.
When does C say k and when does it say s?
C usually says s before e, i or y (city, cent, cycle) and k before a, o, u or a consonant (cat, cot, cup, clap).
Summary
C is the third letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sounds are hard c, soft c, ch. Capital C takes 1 stroke and small c takes 1. Next, learn the letter D.